• Loading stock data...
Saturday, June 21, 2025

Cam Newton Joins ‘First Take,’ Where His Opinions Should Fit Right In

  • Newton, a former NFL MVP and Heisman Trohy winner, played his last NFL season in 2021.
  • He has voiced many strong opinions on podcasts since then, and will now join a show known for hot takes.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Cam Newton’s transformation from washed-up NFL quarterback to hot-take-spewing embrace-debate artist is complete.

As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, ESPN has hired the 2015 NFL MVP as a contributor to Stephen A. Smith’s First Take.

It looks to me like a great career move for the former Panthers and Patriots quarterback. Newton floundered for a while after his 11-year NFL career came to an end. Footage of Newton, brawling with multiple men while wearing a comically large hat at a youth football tournament, went viral earlier this year.

But Newton has remade himself as an interesting media personality via his 4th&1 and Funky Friday podcasts. With his strong opinions, outsized personality, and flamboyant fashion sense, he should fit right in with Smith’s rotating cast of guest debaters on First Take, including Shannon Sharpe, Marcus Spears, Dan Orlovsky, and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.

The 2011 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion at Auburn is scheduled to debut Friday during First Take’s HBCU roadshow at Tennessee State University. Newton’s hire also deepens First Take’s bench should Smith leave ESPN for late-night TV, news, or Hollywood. 

“I’ve always brought passion and energy into everything I do, and that won’t change at ESPN. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my perspective and go toe-to-toe with the best in the business,” Newton said in a statement. “Fans can expect the same intensity I brought to the field, along with real talk, bold takes, and good fun.”

David Roberts, ESPN’s EVP of sports news and entertainment, had this to say about Newton: “His dynamic charisma, combined with the high-profile debates alongside Stephen A. Smith, will create compelling, must-watch television for fans.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Sues Miami for ‘Tampering’ With Football Transfer

Xavier Lucas signed NIL deals in Madison before transferring to Miami.
Jun 19, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) shoots the ball against Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley (13) during the first half of game six of the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Pacers’ Tony Bradley Has Made Just $330K This Year Despite Finals Run

Bradley was signed by the Pacers on March 2 to a 10-day contract.
Apr 3, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball up court ahead of Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena.

Lakers’ $10B Valuation Is Historic, but Not Surprising. What Happens Next?

Details about the deal’s structure and the team’s future are scarce.

Featured Today

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.
June 6, 2025

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
June 6, 2025

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.
Jun 16, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) is introduced before the game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers in game five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
June 19, 2025

NBA Taking Cues From NBA Twitter in Restoring Finals Pageantry

The NBA and ESPN/ABC made several changes on the fly.
exclusive
June 20, 2025

LeBron James’s Growing Amazon Ties Could Lead to Prime Role

James has praised Prime’s NBA talent hires for the 2025–26 season.,
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
June 18, 2025

NBA’s $77B Rights Deal a Major Factor in $10B Lakers Stunner

The league’s rights deal has a lot to do with soaring valuations.
exclusive
June 18, 2025

Laura Okmin Leaves Fox Sports After 23 Years, Marking End of Era

Okmin told FOS it was her choice to leave Fox.
June 17, 2025

U.S. Open TV Ratings Down 8% After Rain Delay, Underdog Winner

NBC and Peacock averaged 5.4 million viewers for Sunday’s final round.
June 17, 2025

Caitlin Clark Effect Back in Full As Fever-Liberty Draws 2.2 Million Viewers

It was the third-highest-rated WNBA ABC game ever.